ECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP27
INTRODUCTION: Paris 2024 marked the final Olympic Games featuring lightweight rowing as a competitive category. In preparation for Los Angeles 2028, many elite lightweight rowers worldwide must transition to the heavyweight class to remain eligible for Olympic competition. This transition requires optimized training strategies and efficient body composition adjustments to maximize performance. This study reports the physiological adaptations and training practices over three years in a Belgian rower who successfully transitioned to the heavyweight category and placed fourth at the Paris 2024 Olympics after reaching the final in the lightweight event at Tokyo 2020. METHODS: Physical testing was conducted at least once per year from April 2021 to June 2024 to monitor changes in physical and physiological variables during the weight transition. Assessments included anthropometric measurements, an incremental rowing test, power profiling, and maximal strength testing. The training program over 145 weeks was analyzed to provide insight into training characteristics, including total volume, the relative contributions of rowing, alternative training, and strength training, as well as training intensity distribution (TID). The training period was divided into four phases corresponding to the years 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, and training characteristics were compared using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc Tukey tests. RESULTS: Body weight increased from 74.6 kg (fat-free mass: 72.1 kg) on April 21, 2021, to 81.8 kg (fat-free mass: 74.4 kg) on June 21, 2024, with the majority of changes occurring in the first year (2022: body weight 81.4 kg, fat-free mass 74.6 kg). VO₂peak increased from 5.65 L·min⁻¹ (75.74 mL·min⁻¹·kg⁻¹) to 6.06 L·min⁻¹ (74.08 mL·min⁻¹·kg⁻¹), while peak power output increased from 489 W to 508 W. Strength values for the squat and bench pull changed from 110 kg and 100 kg (2021) to 128 kg and 97 kg (2024), respectively. The mean weekly training volume was 15 ± 4 hours, consisting of 53.3 ± 26.6% rowing, 26.4 ± 6.6% strength training, and 20.3 ± 12.6% alternative training. The training intensity distribution (TID) for rowing, based on heart rate zones, was 83.2% zone 1, 9.9% zone 2, and 6.7% zone 3. The proportion of zone 1 training increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 72.6% in 2021 to 89.3% in 2024, while the contributions of zones 2 and 3 decreased progressively each year (p < 0.05) up to Paris 2024. CONCLUSION: This multi-year case study provides insights into the transition from lightweight to heavyweight rowing in an athlete who reached the Olympic finals in both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. The data suggest that early-phase physical preparation is critical for a successful transition and can serve as a reference for coaches and sports scientists supporting athletes preparing for Los Angeles 2028.
Read CV Alessandro ColosioECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP27
INTRODUCTION: Bodybuilding places a strong emphasis on achieving a balanced and aesthetically pleasing physique. This involves developing both size and proportion. Achieving a very low body fat percentage (BF%) is crucial to minimize the subcutaneous fat obscuring the underlying muscle definition, allowing for a more pronounced and impressive display of muscle volume and separation. The aim of this study was to compare anthropometric profiles of Bulgarian bodybuilders with classic bodybuilding parameters. METHODS: This study included 11 bodybuilders with a mean age of 24.3 ± 4.3 years, who were practising bodybuilding for at least 6 years with a mean sport experience 8.19 ± 2.55 years, and an average of 10 hours per week. The height and body mass were measured preciously, and BMI was calculated. Arm, thigh, and calf circumferences were measured with the LufkinW606PM tape and compared to the ‘ideal’ standards for male bodybuilders developed by David Willoughby. The following skinfolds were measured: pectoral, triceps, axilla, suprailiac, abdomen, subscapular, thigh, and calf by using the Lange Skinfold Calliper. BF% was calculated based on the measured skinfolds by using Jackson & Pollock’s 1976 and Katch & McArdle’s 1973 equations for men. The percent muscle mass (MM%) was calculated by using the equations of Lee et al. Additionally, body fat percentage (BF%BIA) and muscle mass percentage (MM%BIA) were also measured by using BIA method with the Omron BF-511. The descriptive statistics test of distribution normality (Shapiro–Wilk), paired Student’s t-test, and correlation and regression analyses were conducted with SPSS 19 (IBM, USA). RESULTS: The average BF% (Katch & McArdle) was 8.2% ± 2.0, which was within the reported BF% in the literature for male bodybuilders before competitions (6-10%). Height was 175.4 ± 6.2 cm, body mass was 81.3 ± 9.3, and BMI of 26.4 ± 1.7 kg/m2. Regression equations with high correlation coefficient (0.997-1.000) for ‘ideal’ body circumference were obtained. Body mass, BMI, as well as the measured circumferences, except neck, did not differ significantly from the calculated ‘ideal’ measures for male bodybuilders. The individual BMI of some of the bodybuilders was above the normal limits provided by WHO due to the large MM% (47.2 ± 2.9%). CONCLUSION: The anthropometric profiles of the bodybuilders in our study did not differ significantly from the ‘ideal’ standards published by Willoughby. Bodybuilders can apply the ‘ideal’ standards to compare and assess their body sizes. Our regression equations can be utilised to precisely calculate the published ‘ideal’ body circumferences for each individual. Although on a small number of participants, we also concluded that using the 3-skinfold equation of Katch & McArdle for calculating BF% provided the most consistent results compared to Jackson & Pollock’s 7-skinfold and BIA Omron BF-511.
Read CV Stefan KolimechkovECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP27
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present study was to compare the muscle-to-bone ratio (MBR) in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I female athletes (n=338) to healthy, age-matched controls (n=205). In addition, to examine MBR in weight bearing and non-weight bearing sports. METHODS: Total and regional lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), and bone mineral content (BMC) were determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). MBR was calculated by dividing LM by BMC. Female athletes were categorized by sport: basketball (n=66), diving (n=17), soccer (n=69), softball (n=71), swimming (n=93), and volleyball (n=22). RESULTS: The controls were significantly (P<0.001) shorter (163.9±6.6 vs. 171.4±8.9 cm) and weighed less (61.7±9.4 vs. 69.2±10.3 kg) than female athletes. There were significant (P<0.01) differences between controls and female athletes for total LM (40.6±5.5 vs. 48.8±6.0 kg), FM (18.9±5.6 vs. 17.7±5.2 kg), and BMC (2.3±0.3 vs. 2.9±0.5 kg). Although there were significant differences in body composition between controls and female athletes, there was no difference in total MBR between controls and female athletes (17.3±1.4 vs. 17.2±1.9, P=0.38). Regionally, controls had significantly higher trunk (27.9±2.9 vs. 26.8±4.3, P<0.001) and leg MBR (16.7±1.7 vs. 15.8±2.0, P<0.001) than female athletes but lower arm MBR (13.8±1.7 vs. 14.5±1.5, P<0.001). Sport differences were noted as total MBR being significantly higher in swimming (19.0±1.4) than basketball (15.4±1.9), soccer (16.7±1.2), softball (17.1±1.2), and volleyball (16.5±1.1). Total MBR was similar in swimming and diving (17.9±1.3). The total MBR in basketball players was lower than the other sports examined. Arm MBR showed a similar trend with swimmers (15.4±1.4) having a higher arm MBR than basketball (14.5±1.5), soccer (13.8±1.4), softball (14.0±1.3), and volleyball (13.8±1.4). Arm MBR was similar in swimming and diving (14.7±1.7). Leg MBR was also higher in swimmers (17.6±1.7) than basketball (14.2±1.6), soccer (14.6±1.2), softball (16.1±1.5), and volleyball (14.7±1.2). Leg MBR was similar in swimming and diving (17.0±2.0). CONCLUSION: When total MBRs in female athletes was compared to healthy controls there were no significant differences, however there were significant differences in regional MBRs. When female athletes were compared to each other by sport there were significant differences in both total and regional MBRs. Non-weight bearing sports such as diving and swimming had significantly higher total as well as regional MBRs than weight being sports such as basketball, volleyball, softball and soccer. The differences identified between sports in total as well as regional MBR may be a result of sport-specific training impacting the balance between muscle and bone. Findings of this study are important as they may provide insight into how training-induced body composition impacts the balance between the tissues which could inform strategies to mitigate discrepancies and prevent injury and optimize performance.
Read CV Dengel DonaldECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP27